Digging for Home

"No, but you should let me buy you one," the man insisted. "Maybe a couple. We should go shopping after the movie. I'd like to start taking you to some of the nicer places."

Charlie's sagging spirits perked up at once with the thought of enjoying an evening on the town as an elegant lady. No other man ever considered me worthy of anything other than a cheap thrill, she recalled. Surely Frank knows he can have just that too; yet he still wants to wine and dine me, be seen with me on his arm! Dare I ever hope for more?

* * * * *


A dozen hours later Charlie beamed as she admired each of her three new dresses as she hung them with care in her closet. Girls wear dresses, not guys, she thought as her shoulders clenched in giddy excitement. And he bought you dresses, didn't he? This is a really good sign. The light blue one he picked out is the best of all. Does he know my favorite color is blue?

Charlie turned to look at her bed and its blue spread, and the blue curtains beyond. Her mind wandered to the parlor, and the blue sofa. She looked to the closet, where her sky-colored tanning attire dangled.

Did he notice all of that and not even say a word? Charlie wondered. I didn't think men ever noticed things like that. But he's not an ordinary man, is he?

She shook her head as her eyes sought to well. If he's setting me up for a hard fall, he's doing a damn good job. If only I was an ordinary girl, this would all be so easy. I know he'll never ask it of me, but that is what he wants, isn't it? Perhaps I should surprise him; just do it, before I lose him!

Resolving to calm down, Charlie made her way to the parlor sofa and began to unpack the box containing the sports apparel that Frank had given her. The woman's mind was still on things other than jerseys until she pulled the fourth uniform from the carton.
Mouth agape, Charlie held the uniform aloft, examining the two black numerals on the back. Her chest collapsed as the contents of her lungs exited in a single extended breath. "What are you saying?" she uttered, glancing to the exterior door as if the man might appear there at any instant.